MONROE - The sights, sounds and smells of an Old World holiday tradition will fill the Grand Hall of the Turner Hall of Monroe on the two days following Thanksgiving. Part of Turner Hall's Swiss Heritage Series, the annual holiday market known as Christkindlmarkt will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29.
Originating in Germany, the first Christkindlmarkts - or Christ Child Markets - date back to 1434, with the market in Nuremburg being one of the oldest and most famous. The aroma of Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Glüwein (hot spiced wine), mingled with the scent of fresh pine, filled the outdoor market spaces that featured holiday foods and unique wares crafted by artisans.
Although Turner Hall's Christkindlmarkt is held indoors, the Emmental-style chalet, rich in the alpine heritage of Switzerland, provides the perfect ambiance for this traditional market, including the same sensory delights as the European markets. Shoppers will find the work of over 20 select artisans and vendors, with unique, affordable and quality gifts including fiber and fabric arts, custom-made gift baskets, soaps and lotions, paintings, floral arrangements, Christmas and everyday decorations, as well as specifically European items such as Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings), Kerbschnitte (chip-carving in wood) and Holzschnitte (wood-carvings). Also part of the market, a European-style café, including homemade Swiss baked goods, soups and hot spiced wine, will offer Christkindlmarkt shoppers a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
A special project will also take root at this year's Christkindlmarkt. Kim Tschudy, of New Glarus, is beginning work on a book about the Turner Hall of Monroe, and will be at the Christkindlmarkt to do computer scans of any pictures people may have related to the Turner Hall, for possible use in the book.
People can bring in the photos and have them copied on the spot, without having to leave them, with the entire process generally completed in about 15 minutes. The photos can be of anything - a children's accordion recital, gymnastics, championship or worst bowling team, a wedding dance or reception, program or special event, a Cheese Days dance, Swiss wrestling - as long as it took place at the Turner Hall. The photos need not be big or small or in perfect condition, and can be older or newer. The owners of any photos that are selected for use in the book would be acknowledged in the book.
More information on the Christkindlmarkt, including a complete listing of vendors, is available at www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org/christkindlmarkt.html.
Originating in Germany, the first Christkindlmarkts - or Christ Child Markets - date back to 1434, with the market in Nuremburg being one of the oldest and most famous. The aroma of Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Glüwein (hot spiced wine), mingled with the scent of fresh pine, filled the outdoor market spaces that featured holiday foods and unique wares crafted by artisans.
Although Turner Hall's Christkindlmarkt is held indoors, the Emmental-style chalet, rich in the alpine heritage of Switzerland, provides the perfect ambiance for this traditional market, including the same sensory delights as the European markets. Shoppers will find the work of over 20 select artisans and vendors, with unique, affordable and quality gifts including fiber and fabric arts, custom-made gift baskets, soaps and lotions, paintings, floral arrangements, Christmas and everyday decorations, as well as specifically European items such as Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings), Kerbschnitte (chip-carving in wood) and Holzschnitte (wood-carvings). Also part of the market, a European-style café, including homemade Swiss baked goods, soups and hot spiced wine, will offer Christkindlmarkt shoppers a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
A special project will also take root at this year's Christkindlmarkt. Kim Tschudy, of New Glarus, is beginning work on a book about the Turner Hall of Monroe, and will be at the Christkindlmarkt to do computer scans of any pictures people may have related to the Turner Hall, for possible use in the book.
People can bring in the photos and have them copied on the spot, without having to leave them, with the entire process generally completed in about 15 minutes. The photos can be of anything - a children's accordion recital, gymnastics, championship or worst bowling team, a wedding dance or reception, program or special event, a Cheese Days dance, Swiss wrestling - as long as it took place at the Turner Hall. The photos need not be big or small or in perfect condition, and can be older or newer. The owners of any photos that are selected for use in the book would be acknowledged in the book.
More information on the Christkindlmarkt, including a complete listing of vendors, is available at www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org/christkindlmarkt.html.
